The Ghosts of Versailles

Overview

The Figaro Trilogy: The Ghosts of Versailles

Trapped in the spirit world, the ghost of Marie Antoinette bitterly reflects on her final suffering. Her favorite playwright tries to entertain the melancholy queen with the continuing adventures of his beloved characters from The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro. But sneaky Figaro refuses to play by the script, breaking free from the opera-within-the-opera in a surprise bid for a better life.

LA Opera proudly presents the first full-scale production in this century of John Corigliano’s grand opera buffa, one of the most acclaimed operas of our time. Extravagantly scaled, gloriously tuneful, supremely touching and yet uproariously entertaining, The Ghosts of Versailles turns history on its head as love attempts to alter the course of destiny.

Schedule

New production.Production made possible in part by a generous gift from the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.Additional support from The Blue Ribbon and National Endowment for the Arts.

Synopsis

Act IThe ghosts of the court of Louis XVI arrive at the theater of Versailles. Bored and listless, even the King is uninterested when Beaumarchais arrives and declares his love for the Queen. As Marie Antoinette is too haunted by her execution to reciprocate his love, Beaumarchais announces his intention to change her fate through the plot of his new opera: A Figaro for Antonia.

The cast of the opera-within-the-opera is introduced. Following the familiar escapades of the Figaro characters, Count Almaviva has become estranged from the Countess, who has borne a son, Léon, with Cherubino. Léon wants to marry Florestine, Almaviva’s own illegitimate child, but the Count has forbidden the union as retribution for his wife’s infidelity and has promised Florestine instead to Bégearss.

Figaro enrages the Count by warning him that his trusted Bégearss is in fact a revolutionary spy. Figaro is fired, but overhears Bégearss and his servant Wilhelm hatching a plot to arrest the Count that evening at the Turkish embassy when he sells the Queen’s necklace to the English ambassador. Figaro intercepts the plot by infiltrating the party, dressed as a dancing girl. During the outrageous performance of the Turkish singer Samira, Figaro steals the necklace from the Count before the sale can take place, and runs away.

Act IIFigaro returns only to defy Beaumarchais’ intention that he return the necklace to the Queen, as he wants to sell it to help the Almavivas escape. To put the story back on course, Beaumarchais enters the opera and shocks Figaro into submission by allowing him to witness the unfair trial of Marie Antoinette.

The Count, swayed by his wife’s wishes, rescinds his offer to Bégearss of his daughter’s hand. Even though Figaro gives him the necklace, Bégearss is enraged and sends the Spaniards to the prison where Marie Antoinette lingers.

Beaumarchais and Figaro, the only two to escape, arrive at the prison to try to rescue the Almavivas. They are shortly followed by Bégearss whom Figaro denounces to the revolutionaries, revealing that he has kept the necklace rather than using it to feed the poor. Bégearss is carried off, the Almavivas escape to America and Beaumarchais is left with the keys to the Queen’s cell. But the power of his love has made the Queen accept her fate and she refuses to let Beaumarchais alter the course of history. Marie is executed, and the pair is united in Paradise.

Edward Rothstein / New York Times

Allan Kozinn / New York Times

John Corigliano

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Pre-Performance Talks

Get the full story by joining other opera-goers at our complimentary pre-opera talks in the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. One hour before the performance begins, join Music Director James Conlon for an entertaining and informative introduction to The Ghosts of Versailles. These talks are free of charge to all ticketholders, and no reservations are required.

figaro unbound

LA Opera’s programming of the Figaro Trilogy—The Ghosts of Versailles, The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro—within one season will immerse audiences in the world of Figaro, a fictional character from the plays of Pierre Beaumarchais who created a sensation in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The lasting legacy of the free-thinking barber will be explored in Figaro Unbound, a three-month celebration of the revolutionary spirit. With a variety of programming for all ages, Figaro Unbound will investigate the ongoing relevance of Figaro and the Beaumarchais trilogy, as well as how the arts can impact social change. There will be performances of alternate musical adaptations of Figaro’s story and a number of opportunities to